Figuring out who I am meant to be. One experiment at a time. Like a Beta-testing project, until I get the best version, always upgrading, always tweaking. So the woman who hated tracking nutrition, is tracking like madwoman.

I was DONE with being hungry all the time and feeling stuck between 223 and 228. So I started something new mid-January 2012 at 224 pounds. It was called the Leptin Reset, written about by Dr. Jack Kruse. Eat strict Paleo. I ...

A Gift to Me -- My Self

Figuring out who I am meant to be. One experiment at a time. Like a Beta-testing project, until I get the best version, always upgrading, always tweaking. So the woman who hated tracking nutrition, is tracking like madwoman.

I was DONE with being hungry all the time and feeling stuck between 223 and 228. So I started something new mid-January 2012 at 224 pounds. It was called the Leptin Reset, written about by Dr. Jack Kruse. Eat strict Paleo. I had read that eating gluten-free was the way to go for those with thyroid issues. I'd prepped my kitchen, but never comitted and the holidays sucked me into a vortex of carb overload. It was now-or-never time and I took the plunge into true gluten-free eating by going Paleo/Primal. Bloat was almost instantly gone, pounds started falling away and aches became nearly non-existant. What took me so long to turn away from what was so bad for my body? Processed sugar and grains and legumes just do a number on me and I learned.

The next biggest pieces are eliminating dairy and sleep. Keeping a good circadian cycle is going to be essential for me as someone struggling with a mood disorder. I am just getting my feet wet with a week no dairy.

I am DONE with being self-crictical as I look at my obesity. I am DONE with sitting on the sidelines of life. I am DONE with feeling out of control of my life.

So I live out loud and find ways to fight back. Some days I fight harder than others, but I am always getting back up.

My Sparkname used to be ECLECKTIC1. Lexy grew out of that, thus came the new LEAN-N-LEXY!

In November of 2003, I was miserable. I had attended my brother's wedding in a size 3X dress uncomfortable and sick. I didn't care that Thanksgiving was around the corner, began to control my eating using primarily controlled/smart carbohydrate and lean protein ideas put forth by Dr. Agatson of the South Beach Diet fame. I have no idea how much I weighed, but it had to have been in excess of 280 lbs, because when I saw my doctor in early January, 2005 with my clothes fitting much better I weighed 278. During the course of 2005, I dropped to 198 lbs. That year I met the man who was to become my husband. We married the following year and I gained, stabilizing at about 210, but I had no scale at home. An injury from a car wreck that summer kept me from my workout routine and marriage threw me for a loop too. 2007: pregnancy but I was able to lose the weight down to 210. 2008: a move and repeated illnesses, but my scale stayed packed. Spring 2009: 240 lbs! Ack, I learned I had made myself ill with hypothyroidism.

This hypothyroid journey is rough, but [expletive deleted], I am NOT going to let this defeat me anymore than I did the depression and anxiety of bipolar disorder.

I am not so concerned about the numbers the scales say (but I am, really, inside) as I am about feeling better. I want to have the energy to care for my home, my family, to really take better care of myself by having the health and energy to go to church and other healthy social events. Not to mention keep up with my growing daughter.

Background image credit: http://wallpaper.wallpedia.org/

That 1st 10lbs down from 240 to 230 was the hardest ever when I first joined; relearning my mommy and hypothyroid body.

My desire was to be 210 by 2010; but I am not down on myself up for my health challenges slowing me down. I SHALL get back there. Less than 6 pounds away on 12/31/09-- AWESOME! Got to to 208 in early Spring 2010, but many challenges had me maintain at 212-215 most of the Summer or so then creep back up again to 220. I will not stand still for this.

Onederland is still my first target. With behavior changes toward better activity levels and healthy choices for food being the goals.

2012 Update- is in my intro...

My Program:
The biggest thing right now is to get my thyroid meds and symptoms under control with good communication with the doctor(s). This now includes finding a doctor who can hear me out. Doctor #4 begins March 1. Doctor #5 was May 2; #6 will be Jul 28.

MY Nutritional Program: No soy protein Gluten-free, Eating primal and low carb Absolutely no snacking!! 3 meals only (2 if lunch is a hassle or I'm not hungry.) Big Beautiful Breakfast with lots of protein

Personal Information:
My name is Dineen and I live in the Blue Ridge Mountains of north Georgia. With my husband and kindergartner-daughter.

My ticker shows a start weight of my highest documented weight so that I never get discouraged when I am pausing or stumbling on my journey. I started SP at 240 lbs.

I have a large frame and am 66" tall. (Recent rheumatology visit said 64", so I am losing height. I stick with the taller height for calculating BMI.)

Other Information:
"Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat."